GameStop names two former Amazon execs to top roles, including CEO

GameStop Corp. has tapped a former Amazon executive to lead its turnaround as it puts more of an emphasis on its digital operations.

The video game retailer has appointed Matt Furlong as CEO and Mike Recupero as CFO. They join GameStop from Amazon, where they each held senior roles and oversaw various growth initiatives during their respective tenures.  

Furlong will take the reins as CEO on June 21, replacing George Sherman. In April, GameStop announced that Sherman would step down as CEO at the end of July or earlier upon the appointment of a successor.  Sherman was appointed CEO of GameStop in April 2019, the fourth person in three years to serve in the role. His departure is part of the ongoing shakeup of the company’s leadership team that has occurred in the wake of activist Ryan Cohen, co-founder of Chewy, joining the board in January.  Cohen was named chairman at the company's shareholders meeting on Wednesday.

Furlong most recently served as a country leader at Amazon, overseeing the company’s Australia business during a period of substantial growth. He was previously a technical advisor to the head of Amazon’s North America consumer business. Throughout his nearly nine years at Amazon, Furlong also ran a variety of product categories and oversaw strong market share expansion. He began his career at Procter & Gamble.

Recupero, whose appointment as CFO is effective July 12,  spent more than 17 years at Amazon. He most recently served as CFO of the North American consumer business after serving as CFO of Prime Video. Recupero previously served as CFO of the European consumer business.  

“These appointments reflect the refreshed board’s focus on building a technology company and investing in growth,” the company stated. 

The new hires will join other former Amazon executives at the chain, including new COO Jenna Owens;  chief growth officer Elliott Wilke and Matt Francis, who is GameStop's first chief technology officer.